Gang war hoods are self-destructing.. it's great to watch

Ex-top cop insists Police Scotland is benefitting from clashes

- NORMAN SILVESTER

A FORMER police chief claims Scotland's gangland war has benefited cops and caused the feuding crime clans to "self destruct".

Tom Wood believes the arrest last week in Dubai of Ross McGill and four others, including the head of the Lyons crime family Steven Lyons, has left a massive vacuum in the criminal underworld which other gangsters will be looking to fill.

In the last six months, Dubaibased Mr Big McGill has orchestrated a series of fire bombings and other attacks on properties linked to Edinburgh cocaine baron Mark Richardson, and members of the Glasgow based Daniel crime family.

The feud began when McGill - an ally of the Glasgow-based Lyons gang-was allegedly ripped off in a £500,000 cocaine deal.

In an exclusive interview with Criminal Record, Wood, a former deputy chief constable with Lothian and Borders Police, said the firebombings and online threats have been a gift to officers.

Wood said: “This crowd have basically self-destructed because of their drugs war. As a spectator, it is great to watch.